NEW HOMES PLANNED

Plans to build about 46 flats and 42 houses in Station Road, Spondon, which will transform 1.84 hectares of land, could end up being the toughest to sell in the city because of its surrounding landmarks. Despite being derelict for 15 years, people may be cautious about setting up home on the site, which has previously been a coal handling and transport depot and has housed industrial and warehouse buildings. According to a council report by Mike Kaye, the assistant director of development and cultural services, residents moving to the new development would be advised to sleep with their windows closed at all times.

An application was refused in November 2004 because the site is subject to excessive noise levels from adjacent works and air pollution in the form of emissions of toxic chemicals in gaseous form. Emissions from nearby Acetate Products, formerly Acordis, in Megalaughton Lane, was also identified as a possible problem by the council. The report states that benzene levels, an organic substance used to make plastics, from Acetate Products, can be found in the air around the site. Mr Kaye stated in his report that benzene is a known carcinogen, a cancer-producing substance. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

Almost 270 homes will be built in Derby after plans were approved at a council meeting. Despite objections on a range of issues from concerned residents, the developments were approved by Derby City Council's planning committee. The biggest application was for 43 flats to be built on the site of the former Alexandra Hosiery Mills, Great Northern Road, subject to a 106 agreement, requiring developers to invest in the local area. Councillor Sara Bolton said, "We welcome the proposals." Permission was also given for another historic mill to be demolished as it was agreed that 18 two-bedroom apartments could be built on the site of Brookside Mill, Boyer Street, Derby.

Despite receiving 15 objections from residents over parking concerns, 27 houses and 29 apartments will also be built north of Roman Road, Chester Green, on the site of Bennetts Ironmongery and Phoenix Healthcare. The development would be the second phase of a project which has already seen 24 three-storey homes built in Roman Road. In Baslow Drive, Allestree, two houses will be demolished and 13 new ones will replace them. The council received 10 letters of objection from people who feared that extra traffic would lead to accidents.

The former playing fields at Woodlands Community school, Blenheim Drive, will have 27 four and five-bedroom homes built on them despite opposition from 35 people. A run-down former Women's Institute meeting hall in Fowler Avenue, Spondon, will also be demolished to make way for two semi-detached houses, despite five objections from people who feared the building work would cause congestion and inconvenience. Twenty two-bedroomed apartments will be built at the rear of Uttoxeter New Road, Derby.

Four blocks of 24 apartments were approved for an empty industrial site in Drage Street, Chester Green. Also subject to a 106 agreement, councillors approved the development of 22 apartments at the rear of Brook Street, Derby. Seventeen apartments will be built in Reginald Street, Derby, and 16 more in South Street. Nine houses will be built in Corden Avenue, Mickleover, and one at the rear of Derwent Avenue, Derby.

The city council is bidding for £1.65m to build the city's first new council houses for 32 years. It wants to get a slice of £450m of government money which has been earmarked for new council homes across the UK. Cabinet member Bob Troup said, "With such a huge demand for housing the possibility of building new council homes is an exciting prospect." The council hopes to build 25 houses in Osmaston and eight in Chaddesden. If the bid is successful, new residents could be living in the properties by summer 2011. (Source: BBC News, Jul/09)